Accessible Cooktops

Add an ADA Stove to Your Accessible Kitchen

If you have mobility issues or a disability, a cooktop that complies with standards in the Americans with Disabilities Act might provide a safer way for you to prepare meals. ADA-compliant appliances have features that allow greater accessibility. 

An ADA stove or cooktop will usually have controls in front or to the side of the burners, so users don’t need to reach over hot burners to turn them on or off. You can choose installation on a counter or island at a height that’s ideal for you. Add a wall-mounted oven in a lower cabinet to limit the amount of bending and reaching necessary to remove hot dishes. See our guide — Five Ideas for an Accessible Kitchen — for more helpful tips.

Accessible cooktops are available in various sizes and can feature a single burner or multiple burners of different sizes. Stove tops can be electric or gas powered. They may even heat by induction, which can enhance safety, as the heat transfers only to the induction cookware, as opposed to making the entire cooktop hot. For help choosing a home that works for you, see our guide on that subject, Tips for Buying an Accessible Home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the three types of cooktops?

A: Cooktops can be electric, gas or induction. Electric cooktops may feature a smooth, glass cooking surface or heated metal coil burners. Gas cooktops use metal burner grates that sit above gas flame burners. Induction cooktops feature a smooth, ceramic surface that uses electromagnetic energy to heat induction-compatible cookware.

Q: What are ADA-compliant appliances?

A: ADA-compliant appliances meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. For example, the act requires ADA appliances to be below 54 inches high. It also requires appliances to be operable with one hand using less than 5 pounds of force and without twisting of the wrist or tight pinching or grasping. Additionally, the legislation specifies that cooktop operation shouldn’t require users to reach across burners.